Collapse at London Theatre injures dozens, all trapped now freed

A number of casualties, police report

A ceiling collapse injured dozens of patrons of London’s Apollo Theatre, but it everyone escaped with their lives.

During a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, a partial collapse of the roof sent patrons and staff clamoring for the exits.

Emergency crews were called about 8:15 p.m. local time, which is 3:15 p.m. North American Eastern Time. About 700 people are thought to have been attending the performance. But by 9:20 p.m. local time, London Fire announced on their official Twitter account that all people trapped beneath the rubble had been freed.

Initial reports suggested the balcony had collapsed, but later reports clarified it had been the roof. The Guardian reports that the balcony began making creaking noises about halfway through the first half of the performance.

A writer for The Independent said there was a cloud of dust obscuring the stage “after parts of masonry appeared to fall away.” He also said there did not appear to be any damage visible from the street outside the theatre.

Police reported seven serious injuries and 81 injuries but that no fatalities.

“Heavy, ornate” plaster fell from the ceiling on to theatre-goers, London Fire said, striking the balcony and orchestra seating areas.